WILDLIFE groups put themselves on a collision course with farmers by pressing the Assembly Government to implement Glastir, the new agri-environment scheme, in 2012.

That is the date pencilled in for the scheme’s arrival but farm unions want a delay in order to tackle teething problems stemming from its “hasty and over-ambitious” implementation.

Last week a range of environmental and conservation groups met rural affairs minister Elin Jones to urge her to stick to the original timetable.

Members of the Wales Environment Link (WEL) network reminded the minister of the urgent need to tackle issues such as flooding, habitat degradation, wildlife loss and climate change.

WEL believes that delaying the scheme would be a mistake, as the ensuing uncertainty would penalise both farmers and the countryside.

Network members got what they came for – an assurance from the minister the scheme would proceed on time.

Hannah Pitt, of National Trust Wales, said: “It’s imperative we get a new agri- environment scheme up and running as soon as possible.

“We know there is a high demand for such schemes – to delay it would be folly. Farmers need certainty if they are to plan ahead, and committing to a 2012 start to Glastir gives the necessary clarity.”

The wildlife sector is lobbying hard to ensure opportunities afforded by Glastir do not slip away. But many farmers fear Glastir is not yet fit for purpose – there are strong concerns over the scheme’s qualifying system and how common land claimants will be affected.

Glastir will have an entry-level component (Glastir 1), open to all farmers in Wales, and a higher targeted element (Glastir 2), intended for wider issues such as climate change and water management. Farmers must join Glastir 1 before they can apply for Glastir 2.

Pilot trials of Glastir 1 have been taking place but the results have yet to be published, fuelling rumours that feedback has so far been negative.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams is one of several AMs who share the industry’s concerns. Calling on Cardiff to publish the trial results, she said: “The minister is unfairly expecting farmers to take a leap of faith in the Glastir scheme, by asking them to express their interest in the entry level scheme, but by not providing details of its requirements.

“We also await to know when farmers will be able to enter the higher level scheme – many farmers are concerned that only by getting into the higher level scheme will they be able to break even.”

At the meeting WEL discussed the design and the types of activity that the Glastir will support.

Some groups, such as Coed Cadw, the woodland charity, had been concerned that tree planting would be excluded from the qualifying criteria.

Coed Cadw spokesman Rory Francis said he had been re-assured: “We are delighted the minister has said Glastir will support groups of farmers to work together to plant trees so as to reduce flooding downstream.”

Many could be planted on farmland, in small copses and strips, others on the edges of towns.

Coed Cadw also wants to see more trees planted on ffridd, the upland fringe, where land is often low quality and inaccessible to agriculture.